Acetylene-gas machine.



' Patented Jan. l6, I900.

No. 64l,567.

A. WHITE 81. H. M. ROHWEDER.

ACETYLENE GAS MACHINE.

' (Application filed May 1, 1899.) (No ModeL; 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

THE "cams PETERS 00 mom-Ln'uow WASNINGTON. n. c

No. 641,567 Patented Ian. I6, I900. A. WHITE & u. m. ROHWEDER.

AGETYLENE GAS MACHINE.

(Application filed May 1, 1899,)

(No Model.) 3 Shaets8heet 2.

a4 .llli

- o Altongey No. 64!,567. Patented Jan. [6, I900. A. WHITE & H. M.RDHWEDER.

ACETYLENE GAS MACHINE.

(Appiication filed May 1, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT more.

ALEXANDER lVI-IITE AND HENRY M. ROHWEDER, OF EPWORTH, IOWA, ASSIGNORS,BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE EPWORTH GASLIGHT AND HEATING COMPANY, OFWATERLOO, IOWA.

.3 ACETYLENE-GAS MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,567, dated January16, 1900-.

' Application filed May 1, 1899. Serial No. 715,160. (No model.)

To (i/ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ALEXANDER WHITE and HENRY M. ROHWEDER, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Epworth, in the county of Dubuque andState of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in AcetyleneGas Generating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in acetylene-gas-gencratingapparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved arrangement ofvalves controlling, respectively, the connection between the generatorand the gas-holder and the ad mission of air to the generator.

A further object of the invention relates to the manner of supportingthe carbid-chamher in the generator.

A further object of the invention relates to an improved construction ofthe generator proper.

Still further objects of the invention relate to certain details ofconstruction and operation of parts, which will be more clearlyexplained hereinafter.

\Ve have illustrated our invention in the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is asectional elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4c is a perspective view, partly in section, showingthe carbid-pail and the cover of the generator detached therefrom. Fig.5 is a detail view of the discharge end of the water-supply pipe to thegenerator. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of a portion of the gas-holderand of the mechanism for operating the valve in the Water-supply pipe.Fig.

7 is a sectional elevation of the generator proper, and Figs. 8 and 9are detached perspective views of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the referencenumeral 1 indicates the outercylindrical cas- This casing is provided with a false bottom 2, uponwhich is fixed an inner concentric cylinder 3, afiording thegenerating-chamber, and which is so located as to leave an annular space4: between it and the outer casing 1. This space is provided with waterthrough a spout 5 and is designed to receive the depending cylindricalportion 6 of the cover 7 to afford a water seal for thegenerating-chamber.

The numeral 8 indicates what we term the carbid-pail, which is removablyseated in the generating-chamber 3. 'Near its upper end and on oppositeinner sides this pail is provided with two projecting ears or lugs 9,slotted on their under sides, as indicated at 10. On the under side ofthe cover 7 is secured a bail 11, from which the carbid-pail 8 issuspended by means of the slotted lugs 9 in the manner of an ordinarybayonet-joint. The object of this construction is to permit thecarbid-pail to be removed with the cover or bell 7 when it is desired torecharge the generator with carbid. By slightly turning the bell 7 orthe pail 8 the bail 11 may be disengaged from the lugs 9 and the pail 8re moved.

The numeral 12 indicates the generator proper, which is formed in twoparts or vessels, (indicated, respectively, by the numerals 13 14..) Thelower part 13 comprises a cylindrical chamber open at the top anddivided by partitions 15 into a series of carbidcompartments 16, 17, 18,and 19. The casing of the vessel 13 is provided with a series ofperforations or apertures 20 21 22 23, each of these openings leadinginto a compartment 16, 17, 18, or 19, and beginning with the opening 20,being located at progressively difierent heights on the vessel 13, asshown. The upper vessel 14 rests on the top of the vessel 13, and itsbottom is provided with a flange or annulus 24;, which surrounds the toppart of said lower vessel in the manner of a closure or cover. A centraltube 25 in the vessel 14 permits the escape of gas from the lower vessel13. Radiating from this tube are a series of partitions 26, which dividethe vessel 14. into a series of carbid-compartments 27, 28, 29, and 30.A series of openings 31, 32, 33, and 34:, located at progressivelydifferent heights on the vessel 14, respectively communicate with thesecompartments, as in the case of vessel 13. The cover 35 of vessel 14 isslanting, as shown, a space 36 for the passage of gas being left betweensaid cover and the top of tube 25. The cover 35 is provided with acentral flue or chimney 37, above which is supported a guard 38.

The numeral 39 indicates the water-supply tank, leading from which is apipe 40, which 43, constituting what we term a dripguard, the purpose ofwhich is to prevent the water issuing from the orifice 42 running backon pipe 40 and falling outside of the generating-chamber. In order topermit the carbid-pail to pass the projecting end of pipe 40, it isprovided with a flat side 8. After said pail'is inserted in thegenerating-chamher it is given a slight turn to bring its curved sideunder the end of the water-pipe.

The operation of the generator as thus far described is as follows: Thecover or bell 7 of the generator being lifted out of the casing 1, thecarbid-pail 8 is removed from engagement with the bail 11, as previouslydescribed. The generating vessels 13 and 14 are now removed from thepail 8 and their several compartments filled with carbid, after whichthey are returned to the pail. The latter is suspended from the bail 11and the hell 7 inserted in the casing 1, the pail 8 being therebysuspended in the generating-chamber 3 in a manner to leave a slightspace between its side and the side of the said generatingchamber. Waterbeing now admitted to the pipe 40 in the manner to be presentlydescribed, issues from the orifice 42 and falls upon the guard 38 orupon the cover 35 and passes to the bottom of the pail 8. As the waterrises a sufficient distance in said pail it will first pass through thelowermost opening 20 in the vessel 13 and attack the carbid in thecompartment 16. After all the carbid in the compartment 16 has beenslaked the water will continue to flow until it has risen to asufficient height to enter the opening 21- and attack the carbid incompartment 17. In like manner the carbid in the remaining compartments18 19 is successively attacked by the water, and when all the carbid inthe Vessel 13 has been used the water will continue to rise andsuccessively attack the carbidin the compartments 27, 28, 29, and 30 ofvessel 14. The gas generated in vessel 13 passes up through the tube 25and chimney 37 and escapes from beneath the guard 38, and the gasgenerated in the vessel 14 passes through the space 36 to said chimneyand escapes in like manner.

The numeral 44 indicates the pipe for leading the gas from the generatorinto the gasholder. This pipe extends into the bottom of thegenerating-chamber and thence leads through the casing of the generatorinto a chamber in the bottom of the gas-holder, and serves also to carrythe water of condensation from the generatingchamber, as presentlydescribed. The part of the cylindrical casing 1 below the false-bottom 2constitutes the base of the generator.

Located in the pipe 44, between the generator and gas-holder, is a valve48, operated by a rod 49, having an arm 50, which arm normally extendsover the hell or cover 7 of the generator. Mounted on the rod 49, toturn therewith, is a disk 51, provided with a cut away portion or recess52. In order to remove the bell 7 from the generator, it is necessary,or at least preferable, to admitair under the bell, and for this purposewe provide an air-cock 53 in the pipe 44, between the generator and thevalve 48, which is operated by a handle 54, which normally lies parallelwith the disk 51 and slightly above the same. The handle 54 can only beturned downward from its normal position, and owing to its locationcannot be turned at all when the'circular portion of the disk 51 isbeneath it. In operation when it is desired to remove the bell 7 the arm50 must first be turned aside, and this will operate to close the valve48 and prevent, escapeof gas from thegas-holder.

This turning of rod 49 will also operate to revolve disk 51 and bringthe recess 52 thereof beneath the handle 54. Said handle can now beturned down to open cook 53 and permit air to enter pipe 44 and pass tothe space heneath the cover 7, whereby said cover may be readily removedfrom the generator. When the cover 7 has been replaced and it is desiredto return the parts to operative position, the handle 54 is first'raisedto close cook 53, after which the handle 50 is turned to project overthe cover 7, thereby, through the medium of rod 49, turning valve 48 toagain open communication through pipe 44 between the gas-holder andgenerator and turning the circular part of disk 51 beneath the handle54. By reason of the construction and arrangement of the parts justdescribed it will be seen that it is impossible to remove the cover fromthe generator without first closing comin unication from the gas-holder,that the cook 53 cannot be opened until valve 48 has been closed, andthat valve 48 cannot be opened, owing to the handle 54 extendingdownward in the recess 52, until the cook 53 has been closed.

For the mechanism just described we may hook 56, which engages over theedge of the casing of the gas-holder. The lower end of this strapprojects below thebottom of thewater-tank and is adapted to pass in astaple 57 on the gas-holder.

This construction perinits the water-tank to be readily connected to ordisconnected from the gas-holder, and this facilitates the readinesswith which the parts may be packed for shipment.

The numeral 58 indicates the outer cylindrical casing of the gas-holder,and 59 the bell thereof.

The numeral 60 indicates an air-tight cylindrical casing which issupported on a false bottom 61 within the gas-holder. The purpose ofthis air-tight cylinder is to reduce the volume of water and air withinthe gas-holder. Between this cylinder 60 and the casing l is provided anannular space 61, containing water, and in which the cylindrical part ofthe bell 59 is located, the construction affording a water seal, as willbe understood. Secured at their lower ends, respectively atdiametrically-opposite points, to the casing 58 are two rods 62 63, therod 62 being somewhat longer than the rod 63, as shown. These rods areextended upward a considerable distance above the casing of thegas-holder and have their outer ends connected by a bracerod 64, whichbrace-rod also serves as a stop to limit the upward movement of the bellof the gas-holder. The rod 63 is further braced by a lug or car 65 onthe rim of the gas-holder, through which lug or car it passes. On thetop of the bell 59 is secured a flat metal bar 66, having one endapertured and sliding on the rod 63. The opposite end of said bar issecured to the upper end of a relatively long sleeve 67, which slides onthe rod 62. In the water-pipe 40 is a valve 68, to the stem of which issecured a valve-rod 69, which is formed of two parallel rods spacedthroughout their length to afford a continuous slot 70. These rods arebent to afford a lower inclined part 71 and an upper vertical portion72, but maintain their parallel relation throughout. On the lower end ofthe sleeve 67 is a short arm 73, extending into the slot 70 and providedon each side of the val ve-rod 69 with a guide-collar.

The operation is as follows: As the bell 59 rises under the pressure ofthe generated gas the sleeve 67 is carried upward and the short arm 73engages the bend in the valve-rod 69, thereby lifting said rod andgradually turning the stem of valve 68 until the latter is closed andthe supply of water from tank 39 to the generator is shut off. Thevertical portion 72 of the valve-rod will now occupy an uprightposition, and as the bell continues to rise the short arm 73 can ride upin the slot in said vertical portion Without turning the valve 68 oneway or the other. As gas is consumed the bell 59 falls, the arm 73 ridesdown in the slot 70 of the vertical portion of the valve-rod until theinclined portion 71 is reached, when the valve-rod will be turneddownward, thereby opening the valve 38 and allowing water to flowthrough pipe 40 to the generator.

The mechanism just described for automatically controlling the supply ofwater to the generator is simple in construction, positive and certainin operation, and offers the minimum amount of resistance or frictionbetween the movable parts.

The numeral 74 indicates a valve in the pipe 40, operated by hand toshut ofi the supply of water from the tank 39 to the generator.

In the space beneath the false bottom 61 of the gas-holder we provide achamber 7 5,which is partially filled with water by means of a spout 76,having an overflow-tube 77. The pipe 44 for conducting the gas from thegenerator pass'es through the casing 58 and connects with an uprightpipe 78, having its lower end submerged in the water of chamber 75 andits upper end extended to near the top of the gas-holder. Any water ofcondensation passing through the pipe 44: from the generator will rundown the pipe 78 into the water of chamber 75, while the water in saidpipe will prevent the gas under normal pressure from escaping throughthe lower end of said pipe into said chamber 75.

The numeral 79 indicates the supply-pipe to the burners or other placeof consumption, said pipe being provided with a valve 80 and also with apurifying-chamber 81, filled with excelsior or excelsior and sponge forfreeing the gas from moisture and impurities. The pipe 79 likewisepasses through the casing 58 and within the chamber 75 is connected toan upright pipe 8:2, extending up to near the top of the gas-holder andhaving its lower end submerged in the water of chamber 75. The pipe 82conveys gas from the gas-holder to pipe 79, and any water ofcondensation can run down said pipe into the Water in chamber 75.Secured on the bell of the gas-holder is a long cylindrical sleeve 83,having an upper closed end 84, projecting through and slightly above thetop of the bell 59, as shown.

The numeral 85 indicates the safety escapea pipe, which projects upwardin the sleeve 83 and downward through the false bottom 61, having itslower end open and communicating with the chamber 75. A branch pipe 86leads from the lower part of pipe 85 out through the casing 58, and tothis branch pipe 86 may be connected a pipe leadingfrom the building tothe outer air. derstood that the water in the space 61 will normallyform a seal between the lower end of the sleeve 83 and the upper end ofpipe 85. The sleeve 83 has an opening 83 a few inches above its lowerend, through which the gas may escape before the bell of the gas-holderrises to the top of the water seal. Should the bell of the gas-holderrise above a predetermined point, however, the opening near the lowerend of sleeve 83 will be raised out of the water and gas will escapethrough pipe 85, branch pipe 86, and the pipe connected thereto to theouter air. The provision of It will be unpressure in the gas-holderwould operate to blow the water out of the pipes 78 and 82 and the gascould escape in the chamber 75 and out of the blow-off 86.

The water-space 61 is supplied with water through a filling-spout 8'7.

The numerals 88, 89, and 90 indicate cocks for letting water out of therespective com partments 61, 75, and 4. V

The water-valve 68 is made with a narrow passage through it for thepassage of the water, said passage being made so narrow that the valvewill pass from a closed position to a full open and on to closingposition again in moving through less than one-quarter of a circle. Theobject of this is that when the bell of the gas-holder descends to acertain point it shall open the water-valve, and in case the carbid isexhausted and the bell passes down to its lowest point it shall carrythe valve past the open to a closed position and in so doing shut offthe water and prevent flooding of the carbid-pail, which latter would bethe case with an ordinary valve, as the water would still continue toflow.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new is-= 1.In an acetylene-gas-generating apparatus, the combination with thegas-holder and the generator of a pipe affording communication betweenthe two, a valve in said pipe for controlling such communication, a cockin said pipe for admitting air therethrough to the generator, means foroperating said valve and cook and means operating to prevent the openingof said cook until said valve has been closed or the opening of saidvalve until said I cook: has been closed, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas-generating apparatus, the combination of thegas-holder, of a generator having a removable bell, a pipe atfordingcommunication between the generator and gas-holder, a valve in said pipefor controlling such communication, an air-cock in said pipe foradmitting air therethrough to the generator, a rod foroperating saidvalve having an arm projecting over said bell, a handle for operatingsaid air-cock and a disk carried by said rod and lying immediatelybeneath said handle and having a cut-away portion cooperating therewith,substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas-generating apparatus, the combination with acasing affording a generating-chamber, of a removable bell located insaid casing having a rectangular bail depending from the under side ofits top, and a carbid-pail, open at its upper end only, located in saidgenerating-chamberand extending upward in said bell and detachably supported from the top thereof by means of bayd= net-lugs secured onopposite inner sides of said pail and engaging over said bail, wherebysaid bell and pail may be removed together from the generating-chamberwithout permitting the escape of gas and the pail may subsequently beremoved from the bell by turning the bail out of engagement with saidlugs, substantially as described.

4. In an acetylene-gas-generating apparatus, the combination with thegenerator and a pipe for supplying water thereto, of a guard on thedischarge end of said pipe for preventing the water from running down onsaid pipe, said guard comprising a cap having a discharge-orifice andsurrounded by an out wardlyflaring flange, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-gas-gencrating apparatus the combination with thegeneratingchamber of a generator located therein com prising a vesselhaving a series of carbid-compartments and provided with a series of inlet-openings located at progressively different heights, each of saidopenings communicating with one of said compartments, a second vesselsupported on the first vessel and having similar compartments and asimilar arrangement of inlet-openings therefor, a chimney or fiuecommunicating with the upper vessel, and an upright tube in said uppervessel communicating with said lower vessel, substantially as described.

6. In an acetylene-gas-generating apparatus the combination with thegeneratingchamber of a generator located therein and comprising a vesselhaving a series of carbidcompartments and provided with a series ofinlet-openings located at progressively different heights, each of saidopenings communicating with one of said compartments, a second vesselsupported on the first vessel and having similar compartments and asimilar arrangement of inlet openings therefor, a chimney or fluecommunicating with the upper vessel, a guard located above said chimney,and an upright tube in said upper vessel communicating with said lowervessel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ALEXANDER WHITE. HENRY M. ROHWEDER. Witnesses to signature of AlexanderWhite:

RUssELL G. PAGE, F. HARBAUGH.

Witnesses to signature of Henry. M. Rohweder:

F. WOODRUFF, CHAS. G. DAVIS.

